"However, at times it seems that understanding Poser has become an end in itself eg, how many boxes can be linked together in the materiel room and still get a picture, rather than what it can achieve for an artist." 

LoL. It does seem that way at times. Ultimately however, it is always about the individual user. Just because a relatively small(?) group of users choose to tout a particular feature or SM wants to try make Poser into more of a high end application doesn't mean anyone has to buy into it. New advances are almost always good and it's good that we have people who take advantage of them and try to help others understand their use. Take what you find useful. If you find yourself doing something just because it's the new revealed wisdom, that IMO is a mistake. 

The CGSociety thread JoePublic posted is informative. If a substantial number of working professionals in 3D don't full understand or utilize a feature, how can the average hobbyist Poser user be expected to respond. The difference perhaps is that the Poser user may be more influenced by suggestions that they are missing something essential. That in itself may actually be a good thing if it leads people to adopt better practices. To the degree that the presentation can be  more practical, less technical and less dogmatic  it will succeed  beyond the minority..

Poser evolves as does the community here. The current enthusiasm for its more technical aspects may or may not wane and it may or may not lead to a schism. If the past is any indication however, there will always be room for everyone and anyone can choose to chart their own course.

"Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." - H. L. Mencken